The chapel at Stirling Castle was resplendent with thousands of candles casting their soft glow over the stone walls.
Mary, beloved Queen of Scotland, sat upon an ornate throne, gowned in robes of royal purple velvet. Upon her head was a tiara glittering with emeralds, rubies and diamonds.
Lord Jamie MacDonald and his wife, Lindsey, led the procession of dignitaries who would witness the baptism of Mary’s infant son.
Brice Campbell and his wife, Meredith, represented the Highland lairds, who had sent a proclamation of love and loyalty to the queen and her heir. Lord Morgan Grey and his wife, Brenna, represented the Queen of England, who had sent a magnificent gold font weighing two stones. Kieran O’Mara and Megan acted as proxy for the King of France, who had sent a jeweled chest.
“Where is Lord Darnley?” Lindsey whispered.
“The queen tells everyone he has smallpox. The rumors are that he suffers from syphilis.”
Lindsey cast a pitying glance at the woman upon the throne, who seemed doomed always to have love elude her. “Who gives this child to God?” the bishop asked.
“We do,” Jamie and Lindsey intoned in unison, as they stepped forward and accepted the infant from the arms of Mary’s maid.
They had been chosen by the queen to represent all those dignitaries who were official godparents.
“What name do you give this child?”
They both turned toward the queen, who had not revealed to them her surprise.
“His name shall be James,” Mary said in a clear voice.
For a moment Jamie was thunderstruck. That such an honor should be bestowed upon him was almost more than he could comprehend.
As his wife cradled the child in her arms and the bishop led them through the ritual of Baptism, he thought of the strange turns his life had taken.
Who would have dreamed that one day that frightened little orphan would see the future King of Scotland bearing his name? Or that the most beautiful woman in the world would give her heart to him?
Lindsey looked up and caught his gaze, smiling a secret, knowing smile.
He could not wait to return to his own lands, his own home, where together, they would await the birth of the child she carried.
He had spent his life seeking adventure. But he now realized that his love for the woman beside him was the greatest adventure of all.
The End
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Ruth Ryan Langan
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